U.S. to extend baby formula waivers for poor families through year-end
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[August 24, 2022]
By Alexandra Alper and Mrinalika Roy
(Reuters) -The Biden administration will
extend through year end waivers that make it easier for low-income
families to access baby formula through a government program, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to announce on Tuesday.
Earlier this year, the USDA started covering the difference in costs for
states to offer a broader range of infant formula products for
low-income families, after the closure of Abbott Laboratories' Michigan
plant exacerbated a national shortage of the vital product.
The plant was initially closed due to complaints of bacterial
contamination.
The current waivers are set to expire on Sept. 30 and the extension will
help the government avoid a steep drop in infant formula access as
shortages linger in pockets across the country.
Reuters was first to report the duration of the extension but Politico
reported earlier on Tuesday that an extension was likely.
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![](../images/082422PIX/health25.jpg)
A cabinet of baby formulas is seen at a
Walmart store in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. June 2, 2022.
REUTERS/Arriana Mclymore/File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2019/Sep/05/images/ads/current/stclara_lda_SPONSOR_090519.png) Infants enrolled in the government's
WIC (women, infants and children) program consumed about 56% of all
infant formula in the United States in 2018.
WIC shoppers typically can only buy formula produced by the company
that has a contract with their state, territory, or tribe. Those
companies provide rebates to cut the cost of formula to WIC
shoppers.
Abbott Laboratories, the biggest participant in the WIC program,
said on Tuesday it is extending rebates on competitive products to
help low-income families through Oct. 31.
(Reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru and Alexandra Alper in
Washington, D.C.; Editing by Maju Samuel and Bill Berkrot)
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